the MSCA-PF is a post-doctoral research and training programme in which the post-doc (fellow) gains additional skills and abilities working on a specific research project in a new environment, while also transferring their knowledge within their new institution. Open to all fields of research, fellows must apply to work with a supervisor during the well-defined, 2-year, career stage.
Since we began expanding our support services six years ago, the University has been increasingly successful with MSCA PF applications. Since 2020, 88 MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships have been awarded to the University, with a success rate generally higher than the EU average.
Process for the 2026 call
Researchers at the University who have confirmed their interest to be included as supervisor will be listed on the dedicated MSCA-PF webpage, which will also include all the necessary information about the application process. New supervisors interested in being included on this list are kindly asked to complete the online form (Supervisors (univie.ac.at)) by 27 February 2026. The registration system will stay open until the end of March, but to ensure enough time to process the list before it goes live, we kindly ask for registrations by 27 February.
Please note that the link is for new supervisors only: researchers who were on our previous lists have already been contacted directly.
From the end of March, fellowship applicants will be able to review the list of supervisors at the University that are interested in supporting potential applications. Applicants will then submit an Expression of Interest including their project idea and C.V. to the supervisor of their choice directly. Supervisors will review the applicants and select their top candidate(s), informing them directly of their success, as well as those who were not successful (with msca.fsnf@univie.ac.at in cc). Once confirmed with the DLE, we will work intensively with the candidate and the supervisor to prepare an application.
As always, applications via supervisors’ contacts or networks are welcome and encouraged! In that case we only ask to be informed of the intention to submit as soon as possible, so that applicants can take full advantage of the support services we offer.
Due to the increasing competitiveness and number of applications to the MSCA PF call every year, this year we will be more focused on the quality of applications, rather than quantity. Therefore, we will offer a new information workshop for supervisors at the end of March. Supervisors registered on the list will be invited to attend.
Additional details can be found in the attached pdf - MSCA PF 2026@Univie, and further information for supervisors is now available on the wiki: https://wiki.univie.ac.at/x/TgssEw
